Vehicle wheel



March 13, 1951 Filed April 14, l1947 VIII C. S. A'SH VEHICLE WHEEL 3 Sheets-Sheet J INVENTOR. d/Zes 5, /Ish ATTORNEYS March 13, 1951 c. s. AsH 2,545,130

VEHICLE WHEEL Filed April 14, 1947' 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS March 13, 1951 c. s. AsH 2,545,130

VEHICLE WHEEL Filed April 14, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 NVENTOR.

Cha/Zes 5.14571 BY WMM, *22M/m ATTORNEYS Patented Mar.'y 13, 1951 UNITED STATES laxrizlvr OFFICE VEHICLE WHEEL Charles S. Ash, Milford, Mich. Application' April 14, 194i, serial No. 741,265

f --2 claims. (o1. 301-63) j 'I'he present invention relates to vehicle wheels of the web or disc type which are stronger and more economically fabricated than conventional wheels of the type.

` Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and -in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, millustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a dual disc wheel assembly embodying the present invention;

j Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation as viewed from the outboard side of the wheel shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View of one of the wheels such as shown in Fig. 1 illustrating certain principles of the invention; and

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional wheel whereby the principles of the invention are illustrated.

The present invention has for an object the provision of an improved vehicle wheel of the disc or web type which is strong and economical to manufacture. The invention provides a wheel of the type mentioned which may be made of uniform thickness in the finished wheel and still attain the strength required,;thus providing a Wheel of considerably simplenand more economical fabrication than conventional wheels oi the type. Another object is the provision of a wheel having a more strongly formed web or disc, stronger and safer mounting means, and a wheel particularly adapted to, dual mounting.

The rprinciples of the formation of web portion 62 of the wheel of the invention will best be understood by reference to Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings. Fig. 4 shows aconventional demountable at the hub type of, disc wheel having a web portion 33 conventionally curved in a concave fashion from the mounting portion 34 to the rim 35. It will be noted that the angle of tangents of the web formed with a line normal to the axis of the wheel increases as such tangents are taken from the central portion oI une web radially outwardly, and that the strength of the web formation thus increases in the same direction. However, the greater strength in a wheel is required at the hub and progressively less strength is required radially outwardly, so that such wheels are customarily formed with webs of tapered or decreasing thickness of metal, as 'sho-wn in Fig. 4. The fabrication of such a wheel is expensive and also frequently results in weakness in the web due to the strains imposed in drawing to the desired form.

The wheel web 3l shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings is formed with a convex configuration in accordance with the present invention, and the particular wheel shown is one adapted for dual mounting as shown in Fig., 1. It will be noted that in this wheel the angle of the tangents of the web to a line normal to the axis of the wheel decreases as such tangents are taken from'adjacent the hub portion radially outwardly to the rim. The center, or centers, of curvature of the 1 web is on the side of the web more remote from the axis of the wheel, while in the conventional wheel shown in Fig. 4 such center, or centers, is on the side of the web near the axis of the wheel. It is, therefore, clear that in applicants wheel the web is stronger adjacent the hub and v decreases inI strength radially outwardly toward the rim, the strength being thus allocated where wheel functions require it. Applicants web is, therefore, formed of uniform thickness of metal throughout, with a resulting saving in fabricating costs and enhancing the uniform ,strength of the web.

Referring now in detail to the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, the structure of Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings incorporates the present invention in wheels adapted to be mounted in dualfashion for heavy duty uses. As there shown the duplicate wheels 5| and 52 are formed with mounting portions 53 at their inner peripheries having two series of similarly beveled mounting apertures 54 and 55 the apertures of each series being alternately positioned with respect to the apertures of the other series. The apertures of each series are axially displaced with respect to the adjacent apertures of the other series providing a strong web formation and a tight mounting for the nuts 56. The wheels are preferably mounted in oppositelyY facing directions and with correspondingly formed apertures adjacent to receive the mounting bolts 51 so that, as shownin Fig. 1, the web portions having the apertures 54 therein are spaced from each other and with the portions of the inner web 52 abutting the mounting surface of the hub flange 58 (or of the brake drum adapter 59 mounted thereon), while the portions of the Webs having the apertures 55 therein abut each other and are spaced from the mounting ange 5B. Preferably enough mounting bolts 51 are provided for all of the apertures of a Wheel since a dual wheei mounting requires greaterv huh. attaching' security. If desired', a' pluralityr of frusto-conical inserts 60 may be provided about the mounting bolts 5T which pass through aperY tures 54 where the wheel web lies adjacent. the hub ange. There is thus provided a dual wheel mounting wherein all of the mounting nutsE are subject to back pressure from` thev web. againstl which it bears, making a secure and non-loosen-V ing mounting for the Wheels.

Immediately radially' outwardly of mounting portiona 5.3Y the webs 5.4- and 5-2. are formedA in turned portions or; heads (it which aient.v when the; wheels. are: mounted in. dual fashion as shown.. Radialiy outwardly of. thefbeads- Sit the rtf-abs,y are convexly curved in their portionsv s2 extending. to the rim formation; atl the outer periphery'. Theiwehs 5t. and 52. aret thus formed to., incorporate disadvantages already discussed in connection. with. Figs.. 3f and 4;. and the.V wheels are. similarly.l formed. of. uniform: thickness throughoutv their radial extent, and additional advantages, are realized in. mounting dual Wheels oi the type shown. and descriioedf..

.- The: intention in. its broader aspects not lim-itedto the specific:- mechanisms shownL and' def- 1 scribed. but.. departures may he made; theretromf, within the. scope of the accompanying; without'k departing from the principles of the invention andi without; sacriiicing its chief. advantages'. A What-.1iclairnis 1'; A vehicle; wheel?. for mounting? in dual relationship. comprising a weloelement having a` corruga-ted: annular molnrting;` portion radially; in.- wardlythereof. comprised of. axially` onset. por'- tions;. alternate ones: of said: last portions being. ada-ptedr teva-butler substantially planezhuh mounting; surface.: when positioned adj acent; thereto.: and he spaced. from. Correspending: portions; on. av duplicate.- wheel mounted adjacent thereto in op posite: facing; relationship, While the: other alter.- nate ones.: ot. said. last portions are; adapted toV be spaced? from such? huh mounting4 surface and abut cori:espondingy portions on. suchz a, duplicate wheel When so mounted, and a turned continuons.

adapted to abut a substantially plane hub mountsurface when positioned adjacent thereto and be spaced from corresponding portions on a dupl'icatewheel mounted adjacent thereto in oppositefacing, relationship, while the other alternate ones of s'aid last portions are adapted to be spaced from said hub mounting surface and abut corresponding portions on such a duplicate Wheel whenzso mounted, a turnedv continuons. annular beadA portion. irnmediateltI4 radially.- outwardly of said; mounting; portion: having an. annularV sur.- face lying in the same planeA substantially nonmal to4 the-axis. of the Wheel as said. other alternateones of said portions-ite abut the-same bead portion on suchy a duplicate Wheel. when'. so mounted and another.- curved. portion extending from` said; bead.- portiontothe rim ot the Wheel the tangents of saidl other; curved portion form.-y ing angles with a line normal to the axis of the Wheel oi;V decreasing. size:y asf suche tangents are taken from: radiallyl inwardly to.- radially outiwardly otV saidr. other curved portion. Cl-ISALl-ILES.I Si. ASH..

Thee `Following: Beier-ences'. are; of. recnrdf. i'n the file of this patent:

. n .UNITED STATES PATENTS". 

